Introduction

RealFlow is a fluid dynamics simulation software produced by Next Limit in Spain. It is an independent simulation software that can calculate the motion of moving objects in the real world, including liquids. RealFlow provides artists with a series of carefully designed tools, such as fluid simulation (liquid and gas), mesh generators, constrained rigid body dynamics, elasticity, work platforms for controlling fluid behavior, and wave and buoyancy (previously with buoyancy functionality in RealWave). You can import geometry or scenes into RealFlow to set up fluid simulations. After simulation and adjustment, export particles or mesh objects from RealFlow to other mainstream 3D software for lighting and rendering

Software features

Unlike traditional cognition, RealFlow is not a plugin. Plugins (available for free download from the NextLimit website) are used to import and export simulations and geometry, but RealFlow is a standalone software. RealFlow does not provide any lighting and rendering capabilities. You can drag and drop textures by adjusting the UV coordinates of the particle flow to create various texture effects. You can create UV coordinates for the mesh and create "Wet Texture Maps". It can create very rich and realistic texture effects, but cannot be used for texture mapping in traditional scenes. By rewriting fluid solutions for software, simulation speed has been improved by 20% to 30%. Programs can better handle multiprocessor systems and massive memory allocation.

The latest curve and expression editor allows users to adjust keyframes more freely. The ability to generate a "response" to expression based conditions is an important improvement, especially with significant benefits for effect production. These main features can also be integrated into the RealWave feature settings. Due to allowing you to perform certain operations, such as emitting particles from a Real Wave surface based on surface attributes. Real Wave has the function of generating waves and creating buoyancy effects around geometry or particles.

RealFlow is dedicated to simulating water surface waves, such as the sea surface, ripples on the water surface after falling into an object, and ships traveling in the water (including particle splashes caused by breaking waves and resulting water surface drag). The projects it can complete include: the object falling into the water surface triggers waves, which fluctuate up and down with the water surface, and can also generate splashes. The ripples caused by particles falling on the water surface. Objects that move rapidly on the water surface generate wakes, splashes, and waves, commonly used in ship navigation simulations. Dynamic and naturally fluctuating water surfaces, such as lakes, pools, oceans, etc., can also produce the effect of seawater splashing on the shore, causing waves and splashes.

The RF production concept is to simulate the flow and collision of liquids (gases, etc.) through particles, calculate the correct motion trajectory, and then generate a smooth polygonal mesh between particles. After saving the sequence file, introduce the mesh into 3D software, such as MAX, to achieve perfect fluid animation production! RF can achieve various liquid mixing animation effects (water and milk).

The most innovative feature is' Wet Texture Maps'. When a particle touches a surface, it "draws" a texture on the surface of the object. Therefore, it can leave traces or "wet" textures on the surface.

RealFlow is widely used in advertising, opening animations, games, and film and television fluid design.

RealFlow is a physical particle system based on fluid dynamics computing technology. It serves as an intuitive real-time OpenGL technology display for programs running independently on Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista and other operating systems, and can be well connected to 3D software. Examples include Maya, 3dmax, Lightwave, Cinema 4D, Houdini, Softimage. It is commonly used to represent dynamic and naturally fluctuating water surfaces, such as lakes, pools, oceans, etc., and can also produce the effect of seawater splashing on the shore, causing waves and splashes.